New protein could affect Vitamin A cancer therapy

A protein that is present in nearly every cancer could prevent the Vitamin A cancer therapy from being effective, a new study has revealed.

Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Massey Cancer Center set out to discover why some cancer patients did not respond well to the retinoic acid (a subtype of vitamin A) drug treatment that is used to help prevent the reoccurrence of numerous forms of cancer.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

The retinoic acid therapy works by activating retinoid X receptors (RXR), which control the level of cancerous cell growth and development. After performing copious investigations over a number of years into the unexplained resistance of the treatment, scientists found that the protein known as AEG-1 binds to the RXR, interfering with the regulation of cell growth and instead encouraging the development of tumours.

MOST POPULAR

In an attempt to counteract this, it was revealed that by blocking the production of AEG-1, retinoic acid was able to successfully destroy liver cancer cells. Statistics from Cancer Research UK show that liver cancer incidence rates in the UK are now three times higher than they were in the mid-1970s, with the majority of this increase taking place from the early 1990s. The disease is also most prevalent in people aged over 60.

Devanand Sarkar, lead researcher at VCU, said: 'Our findings are the first to show that AEG-1 interacts with the retinoid X receptor.

'This research has immediate clinical relevance such that physicians could begin screening cancer patients for AEG-1 expression levels in order to determine whether retinoic acid should be prescribed.'

Further studies into therapies which hinder AEG-1 performance on RXR are being carried out. It is hoped that these will prove to be extremely beneficial in the prevention of potential development and multiplication of the cells present in liver cancer patients.

The study has been published in the online version of Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. View the abstract here

The materials in this web site are in no way intended to replace the professional medical care, advice, diagnosis or treatment of a doctor. The web site does not have answers to all problems. Answers to specific problems may not apply to everyone. If you notice medical symptoms or feel ill, you should consult your doctor - for further information see our Terms and conditions.